IBM preps Talent Suite for human resources tasks

IBM has created a cloud-hosted software suite designed for automating and improving human resources tasks.

The IBM Kenexa Talent Suite includes new and existing applications from IBM and from Kenexa, a human resources software vendor it acquired for US$1.3 billion in 2012.

It's designed to help human resources professionals and business managers with processes like recruitment, training and performance assessment.

There is a native reporting and data analysis component to the suite to aide in HR decisions, but customers also have the option to add more advanced analytics by using the Watson Foundations "big data" suite.

Jonathan Ferrar, IBM's Smarter Workforce vice president, said the company sees an opportunity in providing HR, enterprise social collaboration, intranet and extranet features in a single, integrated suite.

"You can use the same piece of technology to hire someone, put them into a social collaboration network of their peers and get the right training for them immediately," Ferrar said.

The IBM Kenexa Talent Suite will be available only as a software-as-a-service model, and customers will be billed on a per user, subscription basis. Ferrar declined to give pricing details. IBM plans to ship the suite this quarter.

The suite's human resources applications include BrassRing, Onboard and TalentManager, and they'll be integrated with IBM's Connections enterprise social networking software and WebSphere Portal platform. In a later release, IBM will also include in the suite its Social Learning Platform.

IBM is making the announcement at its IBM Connect 2014 conference in Orlando, which started on Sunday and runs through Thursday.

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